It was a refreshingly candid start to the NFL’s regular-season news conferences.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is normally guarded with his answers during his weekly gatherings with the media, but on Wednesday it became obvious that time has not healed his animosity toward the Oakland Raiders and boss Al Davis.

“No, it doesn’t dissipate at all,” Shanahan said with a stern stare.

After the question was rephrased, Shanahan reiterated his answer, then said: “OK, might as well get it fired up.”

Shanahan was fired as the Raiders’ coach four games into the 1989 season and, worse, says Davis still owes him money. Shan- ahan’s Broncos play the Raiders in the season opener Monday night at Oakland, where they will revisit former receivers Javon Walker and Ashley Lelie.

Walker, though, won’t be catching up with former teammate Brandon Marshall, who will be serving a one-game suspension.

“To be honest, I’m glad he’s not playing,” Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said in a conference call with Denver media.

Kiffin also didn’t mince words about Walker’s turbulent offseason, which included the receiver getting his face busted up.

“He was heavy during the offseason,” Kiffin said. “His altercation in Las Vegas and then coming back. And then he has missed some practices due to injury during camp as well.

“He’s had a better last two weeks of practice, and in Game 3 he had his first preseason catches and played well. He’s the best that he’s been since we’ve had him so far.”

Kiffin wasn’t sure if Lelie would be ready to play Monday. Cut by San Francisco on Saturday, Lelie had his first full practice with his new team Wednesday.

“We’ll try,” Kiffin said. “We’ll give him some opportunities to be active on game day, depending on how well he practices during the week and how fast he picks it up. That will be more up to him than up to us.”

Nalen, Boss healing.

While the Broncos have been practicing, center Tom Nalen has been conditioning and lifting in the team’s workout facility.

Two weeks ago, Nalen underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, his second such procedure in two months. Nalen won’t play Monday night, but there is hope he can be ready either by the second game, Sept. 14 against San Diego, or third game, Sept. 21 against New Orleans.

Until Nalen returns, Casey Wiegmann will be the starting center.

Meanwhile, Broncos outside linebacker Boss Bailey participated in his first full practice Wednesday since suffering a high ankle sprain early in a preseason game Aug. 9 at Houston.

Union voice.

Before he was traded Tuesday to Atlanta, Broncos cornerback Domonique Foxworth was going to step down as the team’s union player representative. He had been grooming tight end Nate Jackson for the job. Will Jackson become the new rep?

“Maybe, but we haven’t discussed it,” Jackson said.

New Bronco an old Raider.

Journeyman defensive tackle Josh Shaw showed up for his first Broncos practice Wednesday. He had been with the Raiders until he was cut Saturday. Will Shaw be sharing any Raiders secrets with his new team?

“Nah, I’m not telling them anything they don’t already know,” Shaw said. “I know their O-line, and how they work. They run the zone and the stretch, just like they do here. I’m just here to practice hard and try to keep a job.”

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had butterflies before Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. It wasn't because of the big-name opponent, but rather his return from a 13-game injury absence and being stoked to rejoin a team in a playoff push and looking for its third postseason appearance in 10 years.